Candles burning on a tree

As I begin this post about Christmas, Weihnachten, I realize that, following the new year's post, this could be a series called 'Potentially Dangerous Cultural Traditions Involving Fire'.  In the US, like the fireworks thing, I believe it is illegal to burn real candles on your Christmas tree.  Not so in Europe.  And oh, there is nothing so beautiful as a tree lit with candles.  A fleeting moment you have to capture in your memory (cognitive and digital) for, once the candles burn down and out, that's it for tree illumination.

We had an incredibly beautiful tree in Berlin, bought & decorated Christmas Eve day as is the tradition in T's family.  The candles were lit and we sang to the tree... 
(as always, you can click on a photo to see it larger)

 

 

Interestingly, to the several people we talked to about this over holidays, Santa's reindeer are virtually unknown.  And more typically it is the Christkind, the Christ child, who brings & decorates the tree, and bring the presents, on Christmas Eve.  Or alternatively, Father Christmas or an angel of the Christ child brings the presents in person. (St. Nikolas comes on Dec. 6, and leaves sweets and other goodies in the shoes of good children.) Christmas itself is 3 days long - there is Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and then the day after Christmas, St. Stephen's Day (or, 'second Christmas' as I call it).  Because the holidays started on a Thursday this year, shops (including grocery stores!) were closed for 5 days in a row.  No last minute running out for whatever you forgot for the Christmas feast!